Petunia plant named ‘USTUN48002’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Petunia  plant named ‘USTUN48002’, characterized by its upright to outwardly spreading and low mounding plant habit; freely branching habit; vigorous growth habit; early and freely flowering habit; large bright red purple-colored flowers with pale green-colored margins; and good garden performance.

Botanical designation: Petunia×hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘USTUN48002’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant, botanically known as Petunia×hybrida and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘USTUN48002’.

The new Petunia plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Higashiomi, Shiga, Japan and Bonsall, Calif. The objective of the breeding program is to create new freely-branching and mounding Petunia plants with early and freely flowering habit, unique attractive flowers and good garden performance.

The new Petunia plant originated from a cross-pollination made by the Inventor on May 8, 2009 in Higashiomi, Shiga, Japan of a proprietary seedling selection of Petunia×hybrida identified as code number 08P359-01, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary seedling selection of Petunia×hybrida identified as code number 09PJ25-5GE, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Petunia plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled environment in Bonsall, Calif. on May 27, 2010.

Asexual reproduction of the new Petunia plant by vegetative cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Bonsall, Calif. since May 28, 2010 has shown that the unique features of this new Petunia plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Petunia have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘USTUN48002’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘USTUN48002’ as a new and distinct Petunia plant:

-   -   1. Upright to outwardly spreading and low mounding plant habit.     -   2. Freely branching habit.     -   3. Vigorous growth habit.     -   4. Early and freely flowering habit.     -   5. Large bright red purple-colored flowers with pale         green-colored margins.     -   6. Good garden performance.

Plants of the new Petunia can be compared to plants of the female parent selection. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Bonsall, Calif., plants of the new Petunia differ primarily from plants of the female parent selection in flower color as plants of the female parent selection have solid red purple-colored flowers.

Plants of the new Petunia can be compared to plants of the male parent selection. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Bonsall, Calif., plants of the new Petunia differ from plants of the male parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Petunia are more mounding than plants of         the male parent selection.     -   2. Plants of the new Petunia flower earlier than plants of the         male parent selection.     -   3. Plants of the new Petunia have larger flowers than plants of         the male parent selection.

Plants of the new Petunia can be compared to plants of ‘BHTUN31501’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,649. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Bonsall, Calif., plants of the new Petunia differed from plants of ‘BHTUN31501’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Petunia were more mounding than plants of         ‘BHTUN31501’.     -   2. Plants of the new Petunia and ‘BHTUN31501’ differed in flower         color as plants of ‘BHTUN31501’ had darker-colored flowers.

Plants of the new Petunia can also be compared to plants of ‘USTUNI153’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,856. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Petunia differed from plants of ‘USTUNI153’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Petunia had smaller flowers than plants of         ‘USTUNI153’.     -   2. Plants of the new Petunia and ‘USTUNI153’ differed in flower         color as plants of ‘USTUNI153’ had solid pink-colored flowers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Petunia plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Petunia plant.

The photograph at the bottom of the sheet comprises a side perspective view of a typical plant of ‘USTUN48002’ grown in a container.

The photograph at the top of the sheet is a close-up view of a typical flowering plant of ‘USTUN48002’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurements and values describe plants grown during the spring in 11.4-cm containers in a polyethylene-covered greenhouse and finished in an outdoor nursery in Bonsall, Calif. During the production of the plants, day temperatures averaged 24° C. and night temperatures averaged 18° C. Plants were pinched one time at planting and were six weeks old when the photographs and description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Petunia×hybrida ‘USTUN48002’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary seedling selection of             Petunia×hybrida identified as code number 08P359-01, not             patented.         -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary seedling selection of             Petunia×hybrida identified as code number 09PJ25-5GE, not             patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Terminal vegetative cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About three days at             temperatures ranging from 17° C. to 29° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About four days at             temperatures ranging from 17° C. to 21° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted plant, summer.—About 15 days at             temperatures ranging from 17° C. to 29° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted plant, winter.—About 20 days at             temperatures ranging from 17° C. to 21° C.         -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; white in             color.         -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Upright to outwardly spreading and             low mounding plant habit; freely branching habit with about             18 primary lateral branches with multiple secondary lateral             branches developing per plant; dense and bushy appearance;             pinching enhances development of lateral branches; vigorous             growth habit.         -   Plant height.—About 14 cm.         -   Plant diameter (area of spread).—About 33 cm by 36 cm.         -   Lateral branches.—Length: About 23 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm.             Internode length: About 2 cm. Strength: Strong. Texture:             Pubescent. Color: Close to 146C. -   Foliage description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate before flowering; opposite after             flowers develop; simple.         -   Length.—About 4.5 cm.         -   Width.—About 2.7 cm.         -   Shape.—Elliptical.         -   Apex.—Broadly acute.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture, upper and lower surfaces.—Sparsely pubescent.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate, arcuate.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 137B.             Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 137C. Fully             expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to 137B; venation,             close to 146B. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close             to 146B; venation, close to 147C.         -   Petioles.—Length: About 8 mm. Diameter: About 3 mm. Texture,             upper and lower surfaces: Sparsely pubescent. Color, upper             surface: Close to 146C. Color, lower surface: Close to 146D. -   Flower description:     -   -   Flower type and habit.—Single axillary salverform flowers;             flowers face mostly upward to outwardly; freely flowering             habit with about 18 flower buds and open flowers developing             per lateral branch.         -   Natural flowering season.—Long day responsive; long             flowering period, plants flower from early spring until             frost in the autumn, flowering continuous during this             period; early flowering habit, plants begin flowering about             six weeks after planting.         -   Flower longevity on the plant.—About three to four days;             flowers persistent.         -   Fragrance.—Faint; sweet and floral.         -   Flower size.—Diameter: About 4.3 cm. Depth (height): About             2.7 cm. Throat diameter, distal: About 1 cm by 1.2 cm. Tube             length: About 2.5 cm. Tube diameter, proximal: About 3.5 mm.         -   Flower buds.—Length: About 3.2 cm. Diameter: About 1.4 cm.             Shape: Oblong. Color: Slightly more lavender grey than             N187B.         -   Petals.—Quantity and arrangement: Five petals fused in a             single salverform whorl. Petal lobe length (from throat):             About 1.7 cm. Petal lobe width: About 1.8 cm. Petal lobe             shape: Broadly obovate. Petal lobe apex: Broadly acute;             recurved. Petal lobe margin: Entire. Petal lobe texture,             upper surface: Smooth, pubescence along margins; velvety.             Petal lobe texture, lower surface: Pubescent. Throat             texture: Smooth, glabrous. Tube texture: Pubescent. Color:             When opening, upper surface: Close to 71B; along the             margins, close to 138A. When opening, lower surface: Close             to 195B tinged with close to N77D. Fully opened, upper             surface: Close to 71B; along the margins, close to 138A;             venation, close to 70A; color does not fade with             development. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 196B             tinged with close to 75B; venation, close to 146D. Flower             throat: Close to 186B to 186C; venation, close to 185C.             Flower tube (outside): Close to 186C; venation, close to             146D.         -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Five sepals fused in a             single star-shaped whorl. Length: About 1.7 cm. Width: About             4 mm. Shape: Narrowly spatulate. Apex: Rounded; recurved.             Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces:             Pubescent. Color, upper surface: Close to 146B. Color, lower             surface: Close to 146C.         -   Peduncles.—Length: About 2.5 cm. Width: About 2 mm. Angle:             About 60° to 90° from the stem axis. Strength: Strong.             Texture: Pubescent. Color: Close to 146D.         -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: Five.             Filament length: About 1.6 cm. Filament color: Close to             192D. Anther length: About 2.5 mm. Anther shape: Oval.             Anther color: Close to 201D. Pollen amount: Scarce. Pollen             color: Close to 201D. Pistils: Quantity per flower: One.             Pistil length: About 1.6 cm. Style length: About 1 cm. Style             color: Close to 194D. Stigma shape: Rounded. Stigma color:             Close to 194C. Ovary color: Close to 145C.         -   Seeds and fruits.—Seed and fruit development has not been             observed on plants of the new Petunia. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: Plants of the new Petunia have not been     noted to be resistant to pathogens or pests common to Petunia     plants. -   Garden performance: Plants of the new Petunia have been observed to     have good garden performance and have been observed to tolerate     rain, wind and temperatures ranging from about 1° C. to about 40° C. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Petunia plant named ‘USTUN48002’ as illustrated and described. 